Steelers Insider: As camp begins

Friday

Jul 26, 2013 at 12:01 AMJul 26, 2013 at 12:24 AM

Chris Bradford @BCTBradford

CAMP BATTLE TO WATCH

JASON WORILDS VS. JARVIS JONES: At a robust 320 pounds, Casey Hampton is certainly the biggest absence from last seasonís top-ranked defense (statistically speaking). James Harrison, however, is the most notable. The former defensive player of the year and five-time Pro Bowl selection couldnít come to terms on a new contract and subsequently signed with division rival Cincinnati. Replacing Harrison, or at least attempting to, is Worilds. In 10 starts over his first three seasons, Worilds recorded 10 sacks. If he isnít up to the task, though, it very well may fall to first-round pick Jarvis Jones, who led the nation in tackles for loss (24.5) and sacks (14.5) last year at Georgia. Jones was considered to be the best 3-4 OLB available in the draft and is expected to pay immediate dividends. Thatís a rarity in coordinator Dick LeBeauís complex schemes. The battle between Worilds and Jones might be the most intriguing of a camp that could see other rookies land starting spots.

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COMINGS AND GOINGS

Key additions:

CB William Gay (Arz)

QB Bruce Gradkowski (Oak)

P Brian Moorman (Buf/Dal)

QB John Parker Wilson (Jax)

TE Matt Spaeth (Chi)

RB LaRod Stephens-Howling (Arz)

T Guy Whimper (Jax.)

Key departures:

S Will Allen (Dal)

QB Charlie Batch (ret.)

G Willie Colon (NYJ)

NT Casey Hampton (FA)

LB Brandon Johnson (FA)

P Jeremy Kapinos (FA)

QB Byron Leftwich (FA)

C Doug Legursky (Buf)

CB Keean Lewis (NO)

RB Rashard Mendenhall (Arz)

S Ryan Mundy (NYG)

TE Leonard Pope (FA)

RB Chris Rainey (FA)

T Max Starks (SD)

WR Mike Wallace (Mia)

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BY THE NUMBERS

0: 1,000-yard rushers or receivers last season

1: Where Steelers ranked defensively in 2012

3: Number of starters missing from said top-ranked defense

5: Games that Steelers lost by three points or less in 2012

13: Years since Steelers missed playoffs in consecutive seasons

16: Starters returning (eight on each side of the ball)

48: Years the Steelers have gone to Latrobe for training camp. They are just one of 13 teams to still go out of town for camp. Nineteen teams conduct them at regular practice facilities

156: Passing yards short Ben Roethlisberger is of becoming 35th QB to reach 30,000 (Heíll still have a way to go to catch Brett Favre, the all-time leader with 71,838).

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QUOTABLE

ďItís a challenge that I embrace. I think every year when the ingredients change, particularly significant ones, itís a coaching challenge. Itís part of the game itself.Ē